T-Bones announce 2014 regular season schedule

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City T-Bones have announced their 100-game schedule for the 2014 season.

The T-Bones open the season with a four-game series at CommunityAmerica Ballpark against the rival Lincoln Saltdogs on May 15. And then, after a three-game trip at Wichita, Kansas City returns for a four-game series during Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25) against Fargo-Moorhead, concluding with fireworks following Sunday night's game.

The remaining holiday portion of the schedule has the T-Bones at home on July 4 (the start of a three-game series against Sioux Falls) and on Labor Day, September 1, for a series finale against St. Paul and the conclusion of the 2014 regular season.

The longest homestand of the 2014 season is seven games, scheduled for June 2-8, when the T-Bones play host to rival Wichita for four games and Laredo for three. Although the T-Bones will not have any interleague games with teams from the Can-Am League, all 11 American Association teams will visit CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

"We're looking forward to our 12th season in Kansas City," said T-Bones Vice-President/General Manager Chris Browne. "I think our fans will be excited about this schedule and our front office is already working on some notable promotions for 2014."

The month-by-month breakdown of the 50 home games: May (8), June (16), July (12), August (13) and September (1). Monday-Saturday games are still 7:05 p.m. starts and Sundays remain 5:05 p.m. contests at CommunityAmerica Ballpark with the following exceptions:

* May 25 - Memorial Day weekend game - 7:05 p.m. start

* June 4 and June 18 - School Day games - 11:05 a.m. starts

* July 20 - Special matinee - 1:05 p.m. start

* August 31 - Labor Day weekend fireworks - 7:05 p.m. start

* September 1 - Labor Day and Season Finale - 1:05 p.m. start

The 2014 season comes on the heels of the club's fourth consecutive season with more than 260,000 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The T-Bones drew 265,596 fans in 2013, which is an average of 5,420 a game, up from 5,212 in 2012. With that average, the T-Bones are ranked third among all independent clubs (second in the American Association) and No. 40 among 390 minor-league teams in the United States and Mexico. (By comparison, the T-Bones were five spots behind the Omaha Storm Chasers, the triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, and 14 spots above the NW Arkansas Naturals, the Royals' double-A affiliate.)

During their 11 seasons in Kansas City, the T-Bones have a total attendance of 2,823,734, which means the club should be welcoming its 3 millionth fan to CommunityAmerica Ballpark in 2014.

"I'm very proud of our front office's dedication and innovation. It's a testament that fans have so strongly embraced our brand of affordable, family-friendly entertainment," said T-Bones President Adam Ehlert. "We'll continue working hard so that we get to welcome that three-millionth fan in 2014."

Dates and times are subject to change and are weather permitting. Full season and nightly promotions will be announced this winter. Full and half-season ticket packages are on sale now for as low as $212.50, with mini-plans starting at $27.00. Single-game tickets will go on sale in March 2014. Parking for T-Bones games will remain free in 2014. For more information or to secure your season tickets for next season, call 913-328-5640. Stay tuned to www.tbonesbaseball.com and the T-Bones' Facebook page for updates throughout the offseason.